Ah, Silver Spring. Even the name suggests silver lining optimism. Despite that it’s the ‘burbs, plenty of former city dwellers are making the commitment to buy real estate, open restaurants, and set up shop in what was previously considered a place to pass through as opposed to a destination. Perhaps Silver Spring is growing into what Clarendon wanted to become, before condos and retail chains began chipping away its character. In five years, will Silver Spring suffer the same fate?
In particular, Silver Spring appears to be an up and coming foodie haven. Just a few weeks ago, DCist April Fulton suggested I venture north to check out the Thai and Italian markets, which would give me an excuse to visit the reopened Black’s, Ceviche, or Jackie’s on the trip. Throw in Ray’s the Classics opening next week and closer access to this butcher, and I’m becoming downright envious of Silver Springers.
As a Columbia Heights resident, I can only “brag” about a fledgling “bring Whole Foods to Columbia Heights” campaign, as well as Wonderland and a soon-to-come Target. Though I exaggerate, the fate of Columbia Heights may lie in Ann Cashion’s hands, and whether she really is opening Nineteen Butchers and a taqueria anytime soon.
Aside from food centered jaunts, plenty of District residents have trekked to Silver Spring for other perfectly good reasons as well. This week alone offers plenty, with AFI Silver Theatre celebrating Raiders of the Lost Ark’s 25th anniversary, the coolness that is Sean Connery, Jaws, and the end of its Robert Altman film retrospective.
And for clothes hounds, the icing on the cake: the area’s second American Apparel has opened in . . . Silver Spring. Sure, American Apparel is becoming as ubiquitous as the Gap, but as reported in the New York Times, “. . . consumers are attracted to the company’s reasonably priced T shirts and underwear, along with its hipster aesthetic of soft core pornography, which have made Mr. Charney’s business hugely profitable.” Are Silver Spring residents more tolerant of racy ads than Virginia’s and the District’s are? Rather than open a second outpost in D.C., American Apparel seems to be banking on it.
Tell me my roving eye toward Silver Spring is misguided. I dare you.
